Boating License Test American Boating License 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum distance a boat must stay from a diver-down flag in open water?
- 100 feet
- 300 feet (Correct answer)
- 50 feet
- 500 feet
Correct answer: 300 feet
Vessels must stay at least 300 feet from a diver-down flag in open water.
Question 2: Which side of a channel should the red buoys be on when returning from open sea?
- Left
- Right (Correct answer)
- Either side
- Straight ahead
Correct answer: Right
Remember 'Red, Right, Returning' — keep red markers on your right when returning from open sea.
Question 3: What does a single short blast of a horn from an approaching vessel typically signal?
- I intend to pass you on my port side (Correct answer)
- I intend to pass you on my starboard side
- Danger
- I am backing up
Correct answer: I intend to pass you on my port side
One short blast means the vessel intends to pass on its port (left) side.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of a boat's kill switch (engine cut-off lanyard)?
- To save fuel
- To stop the engine if the operator is thrown from the helm (Correct answer)
- To lock the ignition
- To limit top speed
Correct answer: To stop the engine if the operator is thrown from the helm
The kill switch stops the engine if the operator is ejected, preventing a runaway boat.
Question 5: In restricted visibility such as fog, what should a power-driven vessel underway sound?
- No signal needed
- One prolonged blast at least every 2 minutes (Correct answer)
- Continuous horn
- Three short blasts every minute
Correct answer: One prolonged blast at least every 2 minutes
A power-driven vessel underway sounds one prolonged blast at least every two minutes in restricted visibility.
Question 6: What is the most common cause of boating fatalities?
- Fire
- Drowning from not wearing a life jacket (Correct answer)
- Carbon monoxide
- Propeller strikes
Correct answer: Drowning from not wearing a life jacket
Most boating deaths are drownings, and the majority of victims were not wearing a life jacket.
Question 7: Which type of fire extinguisher is required on most recreational boats with enclosed engine compartments?
- Class A (water)
- Class B (flammable liquids) (Correct answer)
- Class D (metals)
- None required
Correct answer: Class B (flammable liquids)
Boats carry Class B extinguishers because fuel and oil fires are the main risk.
Boating License Test American Boating License 2
What is the minimum distance a boat must stay from a diver-down flag in open water?